We can’t treat poor as undeserving of even basic care

Residents have demanded solid waste management and sanitation services from the TMC

People displaced from slums in Thane and Kalwa and temporarily housed in rental colonies by the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) claim they are surviving in hellish conditions. Despite paying rent to the TMC, the tenants waiting for their redeveloped houses are facing leakages, overflowing drains, lack of sanitation and zero maintenance.

Only two out of four elevators are working and there are leakages on every floor, said one person in the paper's report. There is a lack of light in the common areas of these buildings and choked drains are common, as there is not enough personnel to maintain sanitation standards.

First up, every resident must ensure that they use the surroundings respectfully, by keeping them clean and stowing away rubbish and litter.

The escalators, must be maintained and in good condition. This ensures mobility for senior citizens, and it goes without saying, safety too.

Numbers of sanitation personnel should be increased, in case they are skeletal and that is the reason for poor hygiene. Here, these are not frills but necessities. Escalators and lighting translates into safety and mobility. Cleanliness has a direct impact on health. These are not trivialities, but aspects that can have major impact on lives and they must be tackled on an urgent basis.

The authorities need to ensure that drains do not get choked and there is quick action with regard to this, which should not be a one-time initiative. If there is a root cause for the problem, locate that and tackle firmly, so that this is not a recurring malaise.

Let the exercise start off with ground visits and a meeting with some resident representatives. If merit is found in the complaints, then, act upon this. Everybody has a right to live with dignity and
in safety.